Touring - Aero bars, any good??

My wife and I are planning our first loaded touring trip from Oregon to Virginia in 09 and was wondering what the consensus was on the Aerobars for touring. They look comfortable, but looks can be deceiving. I've been reading about wrist and hand pain (not alot, but some) once you get into alot of miles. Is this true?

I have had aerobars on my touring bikes since 1994, and consider them indispensable for all-day riding comfort. Before I installed them, hand, arm, and shoulder pain prevented me from riding for more than 10 or 15 minutes at a time.

I use Profile AirStrykes.

another position is always nice. plus, the position of aerobars is unique, and not just in a superficial way. they are fun to ride. they take some getting used to, and lots of adjustments as you learn what fit you like. and they kick ass for going downhill. for my last tour, i used them to make up for not having drop bars. at first i hated them. by the end of the tour i rode them 70% of the time.

I've been reading about wrist and hand pain (not alot, but some) once you get into alot of miles. Is this true?
It is for some people not others.

I was fine with regular drop bars for my 4,244 mile tour this Summer as was my daughter. My other companion had some problems with numbness in her hands and thought she might like to try aero bars, but didn't. We did see a couple riders who had them. They were a small minority of the riders we saw, but they seemed to like them and spoke favorably about them.

I wouldn't use them while drafting, but otherwise they may be a help if you like them. In some century rides I have ridden some of the riders using them seem to be a moving hazard. The bars seemed to amplify what were probably already poor bike handling skills. Other riders do fine with them.

I would recommend that you try them on someone else's bike before buying them if possible.

Before I installed them, hand, arm, and shoulder pain prevented me from riding for more than 10 or 15 minutes at a time.
That seems pretty extreme do you have some injury or physical problem that causes this extreme intolerance for normal bars?

That seems pretty extreme do you have some injury or physical problem that causes this extreme intolerance for normal bars?

Yep. And I have been dealing with it since 1990 or 1991. (Repetitive strain injuries due to computer and music instrument overuse.) Despite the problem, I have completed many long tours, comfortably and without much pain, thanks to aerobars.

Yep. And I have been dealing with it since 1990 or 1991. (Repetitive strain injuries due to computer and music instrument overuse.) Despite the problem, I have completed many long tours, comfortably and without much pain, thanks to aerobars.
I am glad that you found a solution that allows you to tour. Aerobars must be like a god send for you.

I'd say it's worth a try. You can get clip-on aero bars for like $50 new, less on Fleabay (or sell yours on Fleabay if it really doesn't work out).

It will take you some time to get used to the aero bars, especially since you can't shift or brake with 'em on there. If they do work out, you can get a 2nd set of brakes to go on the aeros if you really want.

However, do not draft another rider when using the aero bars, even if you're going fairly slow. Aero bars are too hard to control for riding directly behind someone.

I use them ALOT on my road bike. They work realy well for getting into another position and releave some other stresses.
I don't find them hard to handle, myself, but the bike geo. may work against using them. You shouldn't use them when drafting, not because they are hard to handle, but because the half second it takes to get off them and onto the brakes can be disastirous when drafting. You can make a trip over to the Roadie forum and get every opinion you could ever want!:eek:

Just my two cents into the pot here:

I Love my areo bars. My sore palms, wrists, elbows, shoulders, neck, and back all felt much better after strapping my aero bars onto my touring rig, especially the wrists and elbows. I'd say it's very important to get a set with forerm/elbow pads, or whatever other part of your body wants to rest on them. I originally had them set up on a pair of drop handlebars, and have switched to a flat mountain bike style with the aeros (who needs the drops anymore?) The forearm pads actually make a really great handle to grab and sit up straighter to streach out the back, neck, and shoulders.

I've also noticed that every time I drop into the aero bars I shift up at least one gear, sometimes two, while maintaining the same cadence.

My favorite part, though, is after I've been sleeping on the ground for five weeks straight eating Lipton brand salt&preservatives flavored instant rice product going up a 3% grade in a serious headwind I just say "forget[edited] all this" and cozy on into my little aerodynamic cocoon and realize that my forearm pads are more comfortable than my therm-a-rest and my elbows and wrists thank me and I remember that my family and friends love me and I sing a little song to myself about how that's not a shoulder, it's a bike lane and even though all of those SUVs and RVs and otherwise obnoxious Vs are Violating my personal bubble the occupants and pilots are not necessarily bad people, just misguided, and I say to myself that if I see them parked up the road, I'll invite them to join me, join all of us in riding our bikes from one place to another, sometimes even back to the same starting point, just for the fun of it, because it's a great excuse to take a longer vacation on the same budget, because it is a tremendous accomplishment to see four different counties in a day, because... Oh, wait, there's my campsite. Good thing I didn't have to fight that headwind sitting up like a sucker.

I'd say it's very important to get a set with forerm/elbow pads, or whatever other part of your body wants to rest on them.



Aerobars for tourists should be a way to be comfortable, not an instrument of torture! Mushy pads are good.




I originally had them set up on a pair of drop handlebars, and have switched to a flat mountain bike style with the aeros (who needs the drops anymore?)



I continue to use drop handlebars + aerobars. It is not always safe to ride on the aerobars, and drop handlebars encourage postural variety -- including a tucked in position with the hands on the brake levers.




I've also noticed that every time I drop into the aero bars I shift up at least one gear, sometimes two, while maintaining the same cadence.



I find this, as well. Although I do not aim to set speed records while touring -- I don't even have a speedometer on my bike -- when conditions are right, it is so easy to bomb along in the aero position. It's a very efficient, very comfortable riding posture.

I would just like to say as a new member, Thank You! The responses that I've received by all to my questions have been amazing. I really appreciate everyone taking the time to answer my question regarding the aerobars. I now have some things to consider and have had some great recommendations. Thank you all so much.

I’ve also been considering adding aero bars to my touring bike but one of my concerns is that I have a large Ortlieb handlebar bag and wonder could I keep this bag and also have the bars?

How far apart on the bars can I fix the aero bars?
Is it practical to put them as wide as I can, just before the bend starts?